Neptune and the Netherlands : state, economy, and war at sea in the Renaissance

Author(s)
    • Sicking, Louis
Bibliographic Information

Neptune and the Netherlands : state, economy, and war at sea in the Renaissance

by Louis Sicking

(History of warfare, v. 23)

Brill, c2004

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Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This book investigates how the rulers of the Habsburg world empire developed and implemented a central maritime policy for the Netherlands and appointed an admiral of the sea or admiral-general for that purpose. It also explains why the Habsburgs were eventually unable to gain control of the maritime affairs of the Netherlands, in spite of the support of the powerful Burgundian Lords of Veere, who occupied the central position of admiral from 1491 to 1558. From their power base on the island of Walcheren in Zeeland, known as the key to the Netherlands at the time because of its central location between Holland, Flanders, Antwerp and the sea, they held an ideal vantage point for exercising the admiralship. The result not only offers an illuminating insight into the organisation of the war fleet, maritime trade and fishery, privateering and prize law in the Habsburg Netherlands, but also puts the success of the later Dutch Republic in a new perspective.

Table of Contents

Notes on conventions List of Plates and Maps List of Tables and Figures Abbreviations Chronology Preface Introduction 1. Chronological and geographical limits 2. Historiography 3. Sources: une mer a boire 4. Points of departure Chapter One The seabound Netherlands Introduction 1. Flanders: origin of Admiralty 2. Holland: maritime power in Western Europe 3. Zeeland: power base of the Lords of Veere Conclusion Chapter Two Ordinances and admirals Introduction 1. The Ordinance on the Admiralty of 1488 2. Admirals and vice-admirals, 1488-1558 3. Holland's attack on the Admiralty 4. The Ordinance on the Admiralty of 1540 Conclusion Chapter Three Defence of the fisheries Introduction 1. Fishery: proportions and changes 2. Defence of Flanders' fishery, 1488-1547 3. Defence of Holland's fishery, 1488-1547 4. Defence of Zeeland's fishery, 1488-1547 5. Cooperation between the provinces, 1547-1558 Conclusion Chapter Four Commerce and dynasty Introduction 1. The route to the East: the offensive solution 2. The route to the West: the defensive solution 3. Protection of the routes to the East and to the West in 1557 Conclusion Chapter Five Strategy and dynasty Introduction 1. The Zuider Zee 2. Coastal defence 3. Passage between the Netherlands and Spain 4. England as a base and ally 5. Strategy and honour Conclusion Chapter Six Towards a permanent war fleet Introduction 1. Organisation and finance 2. The war fleet 3. The crew 4. Veere: naval base of the Habsburg Netherlands Conclusion Chapter Seven Privateering and Admiralty Introduction 1. Privateering 2. Admiralty 3. Order and discipline Conclusion Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Index

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